**Ukraine Imposes Sanctions on Georgian Government Officials**
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed sanctions against 19 Georgian government officials, including oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili. The move comes amid ongoing anti-government protests in Georgia.
**Protests and Crackdowns**
Protests have been taking place in Tbilisi and other cities after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced that the country’s EU accession process had been postponed until at least 2028. The police crackdown on protesters has led to hundreds of arrests and dozens of injuries.
**Zelensky Speaks Out**
Zelensky said in a video address that if countries do not respond with principle, they risk losing decades and being robbed of their freedom. He also appealed to Europe and the US to join efforts and “act with principle”.
**Global Reaction**
The international community has condemned Georgia’s ruling party for its actions. Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia have barred Georgian Dream government officials from entering their countries. The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has also joined the condemnations, saying that additional sanctions may be imposed on top of those announced earlier this year.
**Other Developments**
In other news:
* Ukraine’s Air Force intercepted 30 Russian drones overnight.
* North Korean soldiers have been stationed at observation posts and checkpoints in Russia’s Kursk Oblast.
* Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp emphasized the need for NATO to address third countries aiding Russia’s war effort.
* Romanian authorities declassified evidence of a “highly organized” social media campaign backed by a “state actor” to boost a pro-Russian presidential candidate.
**Sanctions and Crackdowns Continue**
The Georgian police have detained Nika Gvaramia, the leader of the Coalition for Change opposition party. The UK’s National Crime Agency has dismantled a multibillion-dollar money laundering scheme that has enabled Russian spies and oligarchs to evade sanctions using cryptocurrency.